Career information for your major
Discipline overview
Medical Biotechnology is the application of exciting advances in molecular and cell biology to medicine, agriculture, and the environment. Through modern technologies such as genetic engineering, biotechnology is shaping diverse aspects of medicine (cancer, vaccines, therapy and diagnosis of genetic diseases), food production (transgenic plants), and industry (bioremediation).
Key employability skills
Graduates can use their skills across a range of careers. It is vital for you to not only become more aware of the skills you will gain through your course and other experiences, and also to learn to effectively articulate these skills to prospective employers.
The following is a sample list of key skills adapted from the QAA UK subject benchmark statement for this discipline. The full skills list can be found at QAA UK.
- obtain, record, collate and analyse data using appropriate practical techniques, working individually or in a group, as is most appropriate for the subject
- communicate about their subject appropriately to a variety of audiences using a range of formats and approaches and appropriate scientific language
- recognise the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciate the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.
Related occupations
Whether you are considering a number of career possibilities, are starting to think deeply about your career future or have a clear career idea in mind, it’s useful to explore the range of career possibilities available.
Below is a list of jobs held by UOW graduates sourced from the 2018 and 2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (up to four months after graduation).
- Medical Receptionist
- University Research and Academic Staff
- Research Assistant
The following list is of jobs held by UOW graduates sourced through the UOW Alumni Team or the LinkedIn Alumni Tool (up to four years after graduation). Note that some of these graduates have undertaken further study:
- University Research and Academic Staff
- Bioanalytical Scientist
- Research Officer
- Clinical Trial Coordinator
- Environmental Scientist
- Medical Physicist Registrar
- Medical Scientist
- Physics Lab Demonstrator
- Product Technician
- Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Radiation Physicist
- Scientific Officer
- Science Teacher
- Sterility Assurance Technician
Employers
Explore the type of organisations you would like to work for by looking at some of the employers in your field.
Below is a list of employers of UOW graduates sourced from the 2018 and 2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (up to four months after graduation).
- Westmead Institute of Medical Research
- University of Wollongong
- The Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research
The following list of employers of UOW graduates sourced through the UOW Alumni Team or the LinkedIn Alumni Tool (up to four years after graduation).
- Australian Universities
- ANSTO
- Abbott
- AstraZeneca
- Chatswood Medical Centre
- CSIRO
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute
- Illawarra Cardiology Associates
- NSW Health
- NSW Department of Education
- Radiation Oncology Associates
- Riverina Cancer Care Centre
- Southern Pathology
Key industry job websites
Many industries have job websites dedicated to careers within their industry. These also often have links to other career resources. Also be aware that LinkedIn Jobs is increasingly used by employers to target graduates.
Formal graduate programs
Make sure you consider the fast-tracked career pathway programs which are offered by some large corporate organisations and government agencies.
Details of relevant graduate recruitment programs can be found on websites such as GradConnection.
Career research and networks
When researching possible careers, obtaining relevant information from a range of sources helps inform your career decisions.
Labour Market Information Portal – Australian government website with salaries, industry growth and required skills for a wide range of jobs
Your career – Australian government website with a range of careers information
Careers with STEM - a student-focussed website that includes surprising STEM careers pathways, insights into the future of work, 100s of diverse STEM role models.
Build your career network and stay up to date with the latest developments in your industry by joining a professional association.
Postgraduate study and research
Some career paths require postgraduate study. The 2019 Graduate Outcomes Report identified that 18.9% of undergraduates Australia wide were engaged in postgraduate study four months after graduation.
You can specialise through academic coursework or pursue further research studies. Explore UOW's postgraduate coursework degrees and Higher Degrees by Research or postgraduate courses from other institutions for specific careers of interest.
If you are interested furthering your studies in your field, UOW offers the following postgraduate courses.
- Master of Philosophy (Health Sciences)
- Master of Research (Science Medicine and Health)
- Master of Medicinal Chemistry
- Doctor of Philosophy Integrated (Health and Medicine)
- Doctor of Medicine
Developing industry experience
Graduate employers increasingly value industry experience as an addition to formal qualifications to demonstrate your employability skills. This work related experience can be obtained through university internship subjects, co-curricular activities, student exchange or volunteering.
UOW Work experience subjects – Formal work integrated learning subjects available at UOW across all disciplines
UOWx – A range of co-curricular activities available for UOW students
Course information
The relevant undergraduate degree options available at UOW for this discipline are listed below. You may also wish to explore available courses more broadly to see if you might be interested in pursuing a double major or a double degree.
Discipline overview
Medical and health science provides insight into the structure and function of the human body at all levels. This knowledge can be used directly to work alongside other health professionals within the medical research and clinical health fields in both private industry and hospital settings. Medical and Health professionals are involved in the development of therapies, application of diagnostic methods and treatments associated with health and disease.
Graduates have a thorough understanding of the scientific basis of human structure, function and health and may use this as an underpinning set of knowledge for postgraduate medicine, dentistry, and most other allied health professional areas.
Key employability skills
Graduates can use their skills across a range of careers. It is vital for you to not only become more aware of the skills you will gain through your course and other experiences, and also to learn to effectively articulate these skills to prospective employers.
The following is a sample list of key skills adapted from the course learning outcomes and the QAA UK subject benchmark statement for this discipline. The full skills list can be found at QAA UK.
- Communication with the ability to present ideas and clearly explain medical and health concepts within a wide variety of audiences, through a range of media.
- Ability to critically analyse health and health issues utilising health information and data drawn from a range of disciplines
- Ability to integrate and apply scientific knowledge and skills in the area of medical science and health as it relates to professional practice and/or scholarship
- Demonstrate effective leadership approaches, including working across boundaries, to drive innovation within organisations and independently
- Ability work with a range of stakeholders, networks, groups and organisations, taking responsibility for an agreed area of shared activity
Related occupations
Whether you are considering a number of career possibilities, are starting to think deeply about your career future or have a clear career idea in mind, it’s useful to explore the range of career possibilities available.
Below is a list of jobs held by UOW graduates sourced from the 2018 and 2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (up to two years after graduation).
- Pharmacy Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- Claims Assessor
- Pathology Collector
- Radio Pharmaceutical Officer
- Optical Dispenser
- Medical Scientific Officer
- Technical Assistant
- Medical & Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Medical Laboratory Technical Officer
- Research Assistant
- Hospital Assistant
- Disability Support Worker
Employers
Explore the type of organisations you would like to work for by looking at some of the employers in your field.
Below is a list of UOW graduate employers sourced from the 2018 and 2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (up to two years after graduation).
- NSW Health
- IHMRI
- Sonic Healthcare
- NSW Health Pathology
- Civic Disability Services
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
- Hahn Healthcare
- Servier International
- Laverty Pathology
- ANSTO
- Specsavers
- Fullerton Health Australia
- Pharmacy Express
Key industry job websites
Many industries have job websites dedicated to careers within their industry. These also often have links to other career resources.
- jobs.health.nsw.gov.au – NSW Health
- iworkfornsw.gov.au – NSW public sector job site
- ethicaljobs.com.au – Not for profit and community jobs
- nfpcareers.org – Not for profit jobs
- medfuture.com.au
- jobsearch.gov.au
If postgraduate specialisation is undertaken, many specialist areas have their own professional association job boards.
Be aware that LinkedIn Jobs is increasingly used by employers to target graduates.
Formal graduate programs
Make sure you consider the fast tracked career pathway programs which are offered by some large corporate organisations and government agencies. Here are some of the organisations that take graduates of this discipline.
- Plena Healthcare
- Johnson & Johnson
- Blackdot Consulting
- Services Australia
- Deloitte
- Smith & Nephew
Details of relevant graduate recruitment programs can be found on websites such as GradConnection.
Career research and networks
When researching possible careers, obtaining relevant information from a range of sources helps inform your career decisions.
Map my Health Career - NSW Ministry of Health explains medical and allied health specialties
Medical career planning – Factsheets and workforce modelling by NSW Health
My Health Career – Information about careers in health by practitioners working in health
My Health Career videos – hear from health practitioners in a range of specialties
Labour Market Information Portal – Australian government website with salaries, industry growth and required skills for a wide range of jobs
Your career – Australian government website with a range of careers information
Postgraduate study and research
Medical and Health Sciences provides a base knowledge for postgraduate study in medicine, dentistry and most allied health specialties.
You can specialise through academic coursework or pursue further research studies. Explore UOW's postgraduate coursework degrees and Higher Degrees by Research or postgraduate courses from other institutions for specific careers of interest.
Developing industry experience
Graduate employers increasingly value industry experience as an addition to formal qualifications to demonstrate your employability skills. This work related experience can be obtained through university internship subjects, co-curricular activities, student exchange or volunteering.
UOWx – A range of co-curricular activities available for UOW students
Course information
The relevant undergraduate degree options available at UOW for this discipline are listed below. You may also wish to explore available courses more broadly to see if you might be interested in pursuing a double major or a double degree.
Discipline overview
Medical and radiation physicists work in many different fields related to human health in order to improve quality of life. They are familiar with aspects of ionising and non-ionising radiation used for radiation medicine. They are familiar with various forms of therapeutic radiation oncology as well as different methods of diagnostic radiation imaging, and the mechanisms of how such radiation interacts with the human body. They are also familiar with exciting new radiation medicine technologies being developed for the continued improvement in the treatment of human diseases.
You will graduate with a strong background in physics as well as specialist theoretical, practical and programming skills in radiation medicine that are necessary to find employment in hospitals, research laboratories or related industries. If you continue your studies to an Honours or Master degree, you will learn about Nuclear Medicine, Radiobiology and Radiation Protection in hospitals.
Key employability skills
Graduates can use their skills across a range of careers. It is vital for you to not only become more aware of the skills you will gain through your course and other experiences, and also to learn to effectively articulate these skills to prospective employers.
The following is a sample list of key skills adapted from the QAA UK subject benchmark statement for this discipline. The full skills list can be found at QAA UK.
- plan, execute and report the results of an experiment or investigation
- use appropriate methods to analyse data, to evaluate the level of its uncertainty and to take this into account in the development of work and to relate any conclusion made to current theories of the physics involved
- use appropriate software such as programming languages and purpose-written packages
- compare critically the results of theoretical and computational modelling with those from experiment and observation
- communication skills - ability to listen carefully, to read demanding texts, and to present complex information in a clear and concise manner to a range of different audiences
Related occupations
Whether you are considering a number of career possibilities, are starting to think deeply about your career future or have a clear career idea in mind, it’s useful to explore the range of career possibilities available.
Below is a list of jobs held by UOW graduates up to four months out from graduation, sourced from the 2018 and 2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey.
- Data Analyst
- Physics and Science Teacher
- Sterilisation Technician
- Technical Officer
- University Academic and Research Staff
The following list is of jobs held by UOW graduates up to three years out from graduation, sourced from UOW LinkedIn Alumni. Some of these graduates have undertaken further study:
- University Academic/Research Staff
- Nanotechnologist
- Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist
- Diagnostic Imaging Medical Physicist
- Science/Physics/Math/Technology Teacher
- Experimental Scientist
- Radiation Protection Officer
- Computer Scientist
- Nuclear Engineer
Employers
Explore the type of organisations you would like to work for by looking at some of the employers in your field.
Below is a list of UOW graduate employers up to four months out from graduation, sourced from the 2018 and 2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey.
- Novigi
- Tibra
- Tutoring for Excellence
- University of NSW
- University of Queensland
- University of Wollongong
The following list of UOW graduate employers up to three years out from graduation is sourced from UOW LinkedIn Alumni.
- Universities worldwide
- Australian & NZ Hospitals and Health Care Facilities
- Department of Defence Science and Technology (DST)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIRO)
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Newcrest Mining
- IP Australia
- High Schools and Coaching Centres Australia-wide
Key industry job websites
Many industries have job websites dedicated to careers within their industry. These also often have links to other career resources. Also be aware that LinkedIn Jobs is increasingly used by employers to target graduates.
Formal graduate programs
Make sure you consider the fast tracked career pathway programs which are offered by some large corporate organisations and government agencies.
Graduate programs are 1-2 year paid rotational programs offered by large organisations and government agencies. Applications generally open from February each year and are open to final year students or graduates up to two years after graduation. Below are examples of graduate employers who take Physics graduates into their graduate programs.
Details of relevant graduate recruitment programs can be found on websites such as GradConnection.
Career research and networks
When researching possible careers, obtaining relevant information from a range of sources helps inform your career decisions.
Labour Market Information Portal – Australian government website with salaries, industry growth and required skills for a wide range of jobs
Your career – Australian government website with a range of careers information
UK Prospects – a UK based career exploration site
Build your career network and stay up to date with the latest developments in your industry by joining a professional association.
- Australian Institute of Physics
- Australasian College of Physical Scientists & Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM)
Postgraduate study and research
Some career paths require postgraduate study. The 2019 Graduate Outcomes Report identified that 18.9% of undergraduates Australia wide were engaged in postgraduate study four months after graduation.
You can specialise through academic coursework or pursue further research studies. Explore UOW's postgraduate coursework degrees and Higher Degrees by Research or postgraduate courses from other institutions for specific careers of interest.
UOW offers postgraduate study options if you want to pursue further research or academic coursework. If you have other career interests, you may want to research online for relevant post-graduate qualifications. If you are interested furthering your studies in your field, UOW offers:
- Master of Science (Medical Radiation Physics)
- Master of Philosophy (Physics)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Physics
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Medical Radiation Physics
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Materials Science
Developing industry experience
Graduate employers increasingly value industry experience as an addition to formal qualifications to demonstrate your employability skills. This work related experience can be obtained through university internship subjects, co-curricular activities, student exchange or volunteering.
UOW Work experience subjects – Formal work integrated learning subjects available at UOW across all disciplines.
UOWx – A range of co-curricular activities available for UOW students
Course information
It is worth exploring the range of undergraduate degree options available below to see which degree best suits your career goals. You may also wish to explore available courses more broadly to see if you might be interested in pursuing a double major or a double degree.